Black Sabbath win big at Classic Rock awards

BLACK Sabbath are the big winners at this year's Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, walking away with three top gongs.

The veteran rockers landed the Living Legend Award, while also winning Album of the Year for 13 and Event of the Year for hitting number one around the world with the album, including their biggest ever hit in the US.

Manic Street Preachers founding member and guitarist James Dean Bradfield picked up the Musicians’Union Maestro Award, The Virginmarys were the winners of the Breakthrough Award and the late Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher was honoured with the Tommy Vance Inspiration Award.

The awards at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, also saw legendary manager, film producer and humanitarian Shep Gordon recognised with theVIP Award. For more than 40 years, Shep has managed Alice Cooper and along the way has helped to sculpt the careers of a whole host of friends in the entertainment industry. 

Winners of five reader-voted categories were also announced through the evening. 

As well as Sabbath's Best Album nod, The Temperance Movement were voted Best New Band, while Band of the Year went to the Rolling Stones after their sell-out Hyde Park gigs and Glastonbury headlining slot. Fellow rock legends Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin were also winners picking up Re-issue Of The Year for ‘Rumours – 35th Anniversary Edition’ and Film Of The Year for ‘Celebration Day’ respectively.

Finally, closing the night with a red-hot performance, The Darkness walked away with the Showmen Award. 

Classic Rock Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Scott Rowley said: “This year's winners are a who's who of British pioneers, from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the Stones and Fleetwood Mac winning the popular vote to John Mayall, Mott The Hoople and Wilko Johnson honoured in our special awards. 

"And with The Temperance Movement and Virginmarys coming through there's still hope for the future of British rock too.”

The full list of winners is: 

The Living Legend Award (sponsored by Orange Amplification) – Black Sabbath

Event Of The Year (sponsored by Roadrunner) – Black Sabbath go to #1 spot

Breakthrough Award – Virginmarys

The Musicians’ Union Maestro – James Dean Bradfield

Tommy Vance Inspiration Award (sponsored by Spinefarm Records) – Rory Gallagher

Outstanding Contribution (sponsored by Monitor Audio) – Mott the Hoople

Classic Album (sponsored by Eagle Rock) – ‘Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton’ – John Mayall

V.I.P. Award (sponsored by currencies.co.uk) – Shep Gordon

Metal Guru (sponsored by Mascot Label Group) – Zakk Wylde

Best New Band (sponsored by Kraken) – The Temperance Movement

Album Of The Year (sponsored by Live Nation) – Black Sabbath ‘13’

Reissue Of The Year (sponsored by Alchemy) – Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumours 35th Anniversary Edition’

Film Of The Year  – Led Zeppelin ‘Celebration Day’

Band Of The Year (sponsored by Investec) – The Rolling Stones

Spirit Of Prog (sponsored by USM / UMC) – Alex Lifeson

The Showmen – The Darkness

Innovator – Wilko Johnson

Wilko Johnson diagnosed with terminal cancer

DR FEELGOOD star Wilko Johnson has been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas, his manager has announced.

The 65-year-old has chosen not to undergo chemotherapy.

Instead, he is to embark on a trip to Japan before completing a new CD on his return, go on a short tour of France and then play a series of farewell gigs in the UK.

A live DVD from his last UK tour is also in the pipeline.

Manager Robert Hoy said: “He is currently in good spirits, is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity. 

“Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career, from those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience.”

Born in Canvey Island, Essex, as John Peter Wilkinson, rose to fame in the 1970s with Dr Feelgood and was noted for his own guitar style and wild and wacky dress sense.

He went on to work with other acts including Ian Dury and the Blockheads and also released solo material, as well as appearing in the documentary Oil City Confidential in 2009.

That documentary earned him the role of executioner Ilyn Payne is series one and two of HBO’s Game of Thrones, as well as other acting roles in recent years.

He was forced to cancel a show in November 2012 after being taken to hospital.